Tray feed mechanism



Nov. 8, 1966 J. cAsclo ET AL TRAY FEED MECHANISM '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 50, 1964 N NE NM 6E NOV. 8, 1966 c sc o ET AL TRAY FEED MECHANISM '7 Sheets$heet 5 Filed July 30, 1964 R m s Q: G Rwm n NQ mm W N CC. wt NR g wwm m R 5 J as 5 m u A M? m M M 6 mk w n n\ m x: R Q m g I. @L 6 g Q 3 R MQ Z NOV. 8, 1966 J c sclo ET AL TRAY FEED MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 30, 1964 INVENTORS JACK CASCIO WILLJAM C. KERKER ATTORNEY NOV. 8, 1966 c sc o ET AL 3,283,930

TRAY FEED MEGHANI SM Filed July 30, 1964 7 SheetsSheet 5 INVENTORS JACK CASCIO R BY WILLIAM C KERKE ATTORN EY NOV. 8, 1966 J, c sc o ET AL 3,283,930

TRAY FEED MECHANISM Filed July 30, 1964 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. I4

EMPTY TRAYS FULL TRAYS FULL TRAY OVER HOPPER INVENTORS JACK GASCIO BY WILLIAM C. KERKER ATTORN EY NOV. 8, 1966 c sclo ET AL 3,283,930

TRAY FEED MECHANISM Filed July 30, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 FIG. l5 PS AIR AUTO

MANUAL PHOTOSWITCH CONTROL NDEX SLAT PULL RET. O 42 ADV.

SLAT TRANSFER CROSS INDEX CROSS INDEX RETRACT INVENTORS JACK CASCIO WlLLlAM c. KERKER BY ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,283,93 Patented Nov. 8, 1866 3,283,930 TRAY FEED MECHANISM Jack Cascio, Cambria Heights, and William C. Kerker, Yonkers, N.Y., assignors to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Filed July 30, 1964, Ser. No. 386,280 7 Claims. (Cl. 214302) This invention relates, generally, to cigarette-feeding devices for cigarette-packaging machines provided with a feed hopper, and particularly to an improvement to the tray-feeding means of such machines. More particularly, the invention relates to automated mechanisms, control means therefor, for rendering the operation of the trayfeeding means substantially fully automatic.

The principal object of the invention is to minimize the possibility of interruption of the supply of cigarettes to the feed hopper of the packaging machine. Another object of the invention is to reduce the amount of physical effort by the operator, and to permit the operator to devote more time to machine supervision and quality inspection. Still another object of the invention is to effect a decrease in the physical agitation of the cigarettes as the trays are moved through the tray-feeding device. Still another object of the invention is to effect a decrease in the number of cigarettes which are so damaged or mutilated while they are being discharged from the trays into the feed hopper that they must be rejected as unsalaible. Still another o-bject of the invention is to enhance the general quality and salability of the product. Still another object of the invention is to effect improved efficiency and speed of operation, with concomitant economic advantages.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a U-shaped tray-support arranged to accommodate a plurality of trays, and having a full-tray entrance point, a delivery station situated over a hopper, an empty-tray exit point, and a tray-control mechanism arranged toautomatically advance the trays in a co-planar U-shaped path, fro-m the entrance point, to the delivery station, and thence to the exit point.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a light source and a photo-electric device positioned in the feed hopper for ascertaining whether or not the level of cigarettes in the hopper has dropped below a predetermined point.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a first circuit closing device controlled by the photoelectric device, when the level of cigarettes in the hopper has dropped below a predetermined point, for controlling an electrically actuated pneumatic valve, to control, in turn, the advance of a first pneumatic cylinder coupled to a tray-advance mechanism, thereby to advance an emptied cigarette tray from, and a full tray to, a delivery station situated over the hopper, and to advance all other full trays in the machine one position, in a co-planar path.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a slat-pulling mechanism coupled to a second pneumatic cylinder, controlled by an electrically actuated pneumatic valve, controlled by a second circuit closing device actuated incident to the positioning of a full tray over the hopper, for laterally pulling or retracting the slat or bottom from the full tray, thus permitting the full tray to deliver its contents into the hopper without deviating from the aforesaid co-planar path.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of circuitry and mechanism controlled thereby for ensuring that when the level of cigarettes in the hopper is at a predetermined high point, the first circuit closing device will be open, thereby preventing the tray-advancing mechanism from advancing the full trays along the aforesaid co-planar path.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a slat-transfer mechanism coupled to a third pneumatic cylinder, controlled by an electrically actuated pneumatic valve, controlled by the momentary actuation of a third circuit closing device, actuated incident to the lateral retraction of the slat from the tray positioned over the hopper, for advancing the slat one position forward and placing it in longitudinal alignment with the emptied tray situated one position forward of the delivery station and in the aforesaid co-planar path.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a re-set mechanism coupled to the third pneumatic cylinder, controlled 'by an electrically actuated pneumatic valve, controlled by a fourth circuit closing device, actuated incident to the completion of the slat-transfer motion, for retracting and re-setting the slat-transfer mechanism.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a tray cross-indexing mechanism coupled to a fourth pneumatic cylinder, controlled by an electrically actuated pneumatic valve, controlled by a fifth circuit closing device, actuated incident to the resetting of the slat-transfer mechanism, for re-setting the slat-pulling mechanism and, at the same time, for retracting the previously-emptied tray laterally over and into engagement with the longitudinally aligned slat without deviating from the aforesaid co planar path, to thread the slat into the tray and to close the bottom thereof.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a cross-indexing reset mechanism coupled to the fourth pneumatic cylinder, controlled by an electrically actuated pneumatic valve, controlled by a sixth circuit closing device, actuated incident to the completion of the crossindexing motion, for resetting the cross-indexing mechanism.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a tray-a-dvance-cycle completing mechanism coupled to the first pneumatic cylinder, controlled by an electrically actuated pneumatic valve, controlled by a series circuit through the sixth circuit closing device, actuated incident to the completion of the cross-indexing motion, through the seventh circuit closing device, actuated incident to the resetting of the slatapulling mechanism, and through an eighth circuit closing device, actuated incident to the resetting of the cross-indexing mechanism, for moving the empty tray mechanism one position backward, and for moving the just-emptied tray two positions backward without deviating from the aforesaid co-planar path, thus completing one tray-advancing cycle.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of mechanism and circuitry for ensuring that after the machine has been placed in operation, each successive step in its tray-advancing cycle can be initiated only if and when the immediately preceding step has been satisfactorily completed, and when all of the steps of a tray-advancing cycle have been satisfactorily completed, for furnishing a satisfaction signal.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of mechanism and circuitry for ensuring that after the machine has been placed in operation, a new tray-advancing cycle can be initiated only if and when the preceding tray-advancing cycle has been satisfactorily completed and a satisfaction signal has been furnished.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of an alternative control circuit comprising manually operable push-buttons which may be used by the operator as an alternative control, in the event that a failure or trouble condition occurs in one of the switch mechanisms.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a manually operable lever which may be used by the operator for adjustment or maintenance purposes.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a manually operable run out push button, to be used when shutting down the machine, and which effectuates circuitry for by-passing the system shut-down circuitry, thus enabling the packaging machine to run out those cigarettes remaining in the hopper.

The foregoing features are combined within a unitary structure of novel configuration, to provide a machine for automatically packaging cigarettes at a speed heretofore unobtainable, with a decrease in the percentage of damaged cigarettes and requiring little physical effort on the part of the operator.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automatic tray-feed device as applied to a cigarette-packaging machine;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the machine, viewed in the direction of arrows 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the machine, on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the machine, on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the machine, viewed in the direction of arrows 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the machine, viewed in the direction of arrows 66 of FIG. 4-

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the slat threading mechanism, viewed in the direction of arrows 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a full tray as it is about to be positioned over the feed hopper of a cigarette packaging machine; I

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a full tray, after it has been positioned over the hopperjand as the slat is being pulled out;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a full tray positioned over the hopper, and of the slat which was withdrawn therefrom, after the slat has been advanced forwardly to the position in which it is in readiness to be threaded into a previously-emptied tray;

FIG. 11 is a perspective viewof a previously-emptied tray which was advanced forwardly, and is now being pushed laterally, to thread it onto the forwardly-advanced slat;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an empty tray, after it has been threaded onto a slat, and after it has been moved two spaces in a rearward direction;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic flow chart for the machine showing, rudimentary form, the relative movement and the positions assumed by full trays, empty trays, and bottom slats;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation of the hopper, viewed in the direction of arrows 1414 of FIG. 1, showing the location of the light source and photoelectric cell;

FIG, 15 is an electro-pneumatic diagram showing, in schematic form, the switch and relay contacts, tthe electrical connections, the electro-pneuma'tic valves controlled thereby, and the pneumatic cylinders respectively controlled by the valves. 4

It is to be understood that where the same part or element appears in more than one of the figures of the drawings, it will carry the same identifying designation throughout.

In supplying cigarette packaging machines with cigarettes it has heretofore been the practice for the operator to place the full trays on conveyor rails having a portion thereof extending above the hopper, to manually operate a lever to forwardly advance the full trays so as to place a full tray at the delivery station above the hopper, to then manually pull the slat from the tray which is positioned above the hopper, to visually observe when the level of cigarettes in the hopper has dropped to a point indicating the need for an additional supply of cigarettes, to again manually operate the lever to advance another full tray which, in advancing, pushes the just-emptied tray forwardly, and then to manually replace the slat into the just-emptied tray, and to manually remove the tray from the conveyor rails.

Such a mode of operation, obviously, entails a considerable amount of physical effort by the operator, as well as requiring a high degree of alertness in order for the operator to constantly observe the level of cigaretttes in the hopper. All of this enhances operator-fatigue; also, it limits the productivity of the machine.

In certain other cigarette packaging machines, the trayfeeding mechanism comprising a conveyor along which the full trays are advanced, up to a certain point, and are then seized by a tray gripping mechanism which lifts a tray bodily, swings it through an are, thereby inverting the full tray over a feed hopper and dumping the cigarettes from the full tray into the hopper. The then emptied tray is then swung back into its previous position, is advanced therefrom, and is replaced by another full tray. The motion of the full tray, incident to its being swung through an arc, and the dumping of the cigarettes from the full tray into the feed hopper, results in undesirable agitation of the cigarettes, and as a consequence an undesirable large percentage of the cigarettes are damaged or mutilated and, hence, must be rejected as unsalable.

It is an object of the invention, as exemplarily disclosed in the accompanying drawings, to overcome these undesirable aspects; and to improve the quantity and quality of the output of a cigarette packing machine, and to accomplish this with less operator-fatigue.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION To facilitate an understanding of the instant invention, it will first be described in very general terms. Refer to FIG. 1, which is a plan view of the structure of the invention showing, inter alia, cigarette trays and supporting the actuating means therefore. Only two cigarette trays, T and T,,, are indicated. Tray T is indicated as being positioned at the delivery station above the hopper H of a cigarette packaging machine of a type well known in the art. The cigarette packaging machine may be of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,847,060 granted February 23, 1932, to W. B. Bronander. When the packaging machine is in operation the hopper must be constantly replenished with a fresh charge of cigarettes supplied from a full tray, e.g., T At, or near, the top of the right end of the hopper H is a light source which causes a light beam to be directed toward a photoelectric cell situated at, or near, the left end of hopper H, and slightly below the top edge thereof. When the hopper H is substantially full, the level of the cigarettes therein will be at such a height that the light beam will be prevented from impinging upon the photoelectric cell, at which time the cell will be non-conductive. However, when the supply of cigarettes in the hopper falls below the level of the light beam, the light beam is permitted to impinge upon the photoelectric cell, causing it to become conductive and to establish a control circuit, to be subsequently described in detail, which will activate electro-pneumatic mechanisms, also to be subsequently described in detail, to automatically initiate a tray-advance cycle comprising: the advance of full cigarette trays from an entrance point, to present a full tray to the delivery station, to withdraw the slat from the bottom of the full tray to enable it to discharge its contents into the hopper, to push the slat forwardly one position to place it in longitudinal alignment with the just-previously-emptied tray, to laterally move the justpreviously-emptied tray to thread the slat into the bottom thereof, to move the just-threaded-tray rearwardly two positions, and then to move all of the empty trays rearwardly one position toward the exit point, the trays, from entrance to exit, traversing a prescribed co-planar U-shaped path.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, let it be assumed, for example, that the full tray T which is shown as it is being pushed forwardly (in the direction of the arrow) toward the hopper H, or delivery station, corresponds to tray T shown in FIG. 1. The trays are supported by support bars 1 and 2, are guided by guide bars 3 and 4, and are pushed frowardly by a plurality of tray-pawls, e.g., 12, which, in turn, are carried by pusher bar 20 which, in its turn, is activated by a first pneumatic cylinder (designated 21 on FIG. 2).

Referring now to FIG. 9, the forward motion of the full tray T has continued until it has reached the position illustrated in FIG, 9, where the tray T is directly above the hopper H. This is the delivery station. After the tray T has come to a stop in its position over the hopper, an electric circuit is closed to control a second pneumatic cylinder, (designated 42 on FIGS. 1 and 2) causing the slat-puller 23 to engage with slat S and to pull it laterally from tray T in the direction of the arrow. The withdrawal of the slat S permits the cigarettes in tray T to be delivered into the hopper H. Slat puller 23 is secured by slat puller 24 to slat-puller bracket 25 which, in turn, is supported by slat-puller guide 26.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the slat S after having been pulled laterally (or leftwardly) to a prescribed point, an electric circuit is closed to control a third pneumatic cylinder, (designated 43 on FIG. 1 and 3) causing the slat S to be transferred one position forwardly, by the slat pusher fingers 27 and 28, in the direction of the arrow. When the tray (not shown) which had immediately preceded tray T had delivered its contents into the hopper, and when the level of cigarettes in the hopper had fallen below the level of the light beam, the circuit was re-' established to cause, in the manner previously described, the forward co-planar movement of the trays. The justemptied tray (preceding tray T after having moved one step forward was then in longitudinal alignment with slat 5 following which the just-emptied tray was in readiness to be moved laterally toward slat S The combination of forward and lateral motions of the just-emptied tray is indicated by the bent arrow.

Referring now to FIG. 11, after the tray preceding tray T reached the position where it was in longitudinal alignment with slat an electric circuit was closed to control a fourth pneumatic cylinder (designated 44 on FIGS. 1 and 3), causing the tray preceding Tray T to be shifted laterally in the direction of the arrow, by means of moving rack 30 (and stationary rack 31' shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), thereby causing the slat S to be threaded or inserted into the bottom of the tray preceding tray T When the threading operation shall have been completed, the tray preceding tray T will be ready to be pushed rearwardly.

Referring now to FIG. 12, after the tray (shown in FIG. 11) shall have completed its lateral motion, a series electric circuit will have been closed to control pneumatic cylinder 21, to push the just-emptied tray rearwardly two positions, and to push the previously emptied trays rearwardly one position. The trays are supported by support bars 31 and 32, are guided by guide bars 33 and 34 (not shown in FIG. 12), the just-threaded-tray is pushed rearwardly two steps by the double-indexing pushing dog 195. The empty trays are then pushed rearwardly, one step at a time, by a plurality of pawls (such, for example, as 39 through 41 shown in FIG. 3). At this time, one tray-advance cycle will have been completed.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there are diagrammatically represented a plurality of full trays, respectively designated T T and T,,, and forwardly movable in the direction of the arrow T Tray T is positioned at the delivery station situated over the hopper H, and is about to have its bottom slat S withdrawn laterally (in the direction of the arrow SP) to permit tray S to empty its contents into the hopper H. Slats S and S respectively associated with trays T and T and constituting the bottoms thereof, retain the contents of the full trays while the trays are being advanced. The tray T shown immediately forward of and adjacent to tray T represents the tray which immediately preceded tray T in the machine, and Whose contents were emptied into the hopper H hence, it will be observed, tray T has no bottom slat. Just to the left of tray T in longitudinal alignment therewith, and shown in broken lines, is a representation of the slat 8, after having been pulled out of tray T Just to the left of empty tray T in longitudinal alignment therewith, is a slat 5, after having been transferred one position forward (in the direction of the broken line arrow ST). Also, just to the left of empty tray T in longitudinal alignment therewith, and shown by dots superimposed on slat T is a representation of empty tray T after having been cross-indexed leftwardly (in the direction of the arrow TC) to effect the threading of slat S into the bottom of the empty tray T so that it may be returned with the preceding empty trays. After the threading operation shall have been completed, tray T will be rearwardly moved two spaces (or double indexed), in the direction of the dotted arrow DI. At the same time, the empty trays E and T will be rearwardly moved (or single indexed) one space at a time, in the direction of the arrow, so that they may be removed from the machine. At the conclusion of this movement, the empty tray T will have assumed the position just vacated by empty tray T The conclusion of this series of tray and slat manipulations completes one tray-advance cycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, this is a plan view of an automatic cigarette tray-feed embodying the inst-ant invention as applied to, and used in conjunction with, a cigarette packing machine of a type known and used in the art. Such cigarette packers comprise a hopper H, as indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 8 through 13, and also as indicated by full lines in FIG. 14.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the tray-feed of the instant invention comprises a tray conveyor having co-planar tray-supporting rails 1 and 2, and co-planar tray-guiding rails 3 and 4 for full trays loaded into the machine, and also tray-supporting rails 31 and 32, and tray-guiding rails 33 and 34 for empty trays to be unloaded from the machine. The tray feed has a full tray entrance point at the upper ends of rails 1 and 2, a delivery station situated above the hopper H, and an empty tray exit point at the upper ends of rails 31 and 32.

The instant invention also comprises tray manipulating mechanism for intermittently propelling tr-ays through the conveyor, and for controlling the removal and replacement of the tray bottom slats. The tray manipulating mechanism is powered by the pneumatic cylinders 21, 42, 43, and 44. Each such cylinder has a piston therein which may be either advanced or retracted, in

accordance with the admission of compressed air to either the advance or retract side of the piston by the electrical actuation of its respective advance or retract valve. The trays are urged through the tray-feed conveyor in a substantially U-shaped co-planar ambit, as shown in FIG. 13, and as described in the General Description.

Referring now to FIG. 14, this is a front elevation, partly in section, of the hopper H, viewed in the direction of arrows 14-14 of FIG. 1. At the right-hand side of the hopper H is positioned a light source 50 which emits a light 'beam 51. The light beam 51 is focused so that, in the absence of any opaque obstruction, it will impinge upon a photo-electric cell 52 positioned at the left-hand side, and slightly below the top edge, of the hopper H. Obviously, when the level of the cigarettes, e.g., 53, in the hopper H falls below the level of the photo-electric cell 52, the impingent light beam 51 will cause the cell 52 to become conductive, thereby causing a circuit to be established through the normally open contacts of the photoswitch.

Tray advance motion Now referring to FIG. 1, let it now be assumed that the conveyor has been loaded with full trays, only two of which are indicated in FIG. 1, T and T Let it be further assumed that the control switch S6 (FIG. for the machine has been set in its auto position, thus preparing the tray-feeding mechanism to proceed on an automatic basis. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, and also to FIG. 15, the closure of the photoswitch (FIG. 15) applies power through the advance coil CVIB of electropneumatic valve CV1, causing it to operate, and thereby admit, compressed air to the advance side of pneumatic cylinder 21 to move its piston forward. The cylinder 21 is pivotally supported by stud 56 in bracket 57. The piston rod 58 of cylinder 21 is pivotally connected by stud 59 to cylinder level 60, integral with hub 61, secured to lever shaft 62. The lever shaft 62 extends across the machine (as will be evident from FIGS. '1 through 5), and has secured thereto levers which actuate the tray pawls 36, etc. of FIG. 3. The mechanism for pushing the empty trays rearwardly, toward the point of exit, will be hereinafter described in detail. Also secured to the shaft 62 are the hubs 65 and 66 of levers 67 and 68, respetcively. The ends of levers 67 and 68, respectively, are pivotally connected by studs 69 and 70 to the tray-pusher rods 71 and 72, respectively. The rods 71 and 72, respectively, are pivotally connected by studs 75 and 76 to tray-pusher brackets 77 and 78, respectively. The brackets 77 and 78 are secured to the tray-pusher cross bar 79 which is connected with the box-shift yoke brackets 80 and 81. The brackets 80 and 81, respectively, are secured to the traypusher bars 19 and 20, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Pivot'ally supported on bar 19 are a plurality of traypusher pawls, 5 through 11. Similarly, the corresponding tray-pusher bar (20, not shown) carries a corresponding set of pawls. The advance or leftward, motion of piston rod 58 causes the lever 60, the lever shaft 62, and the levers 67 and 68 secured thereto to be displaced angularly in a clockwise direction. The clockwise motion of levers 67 and 68 causes the tray-pusher rods 71 and 72, the traypusher cross-bar 79, the brackets 80 and 81, the tray-pusher bars, e.g., 19 and the tray-pusher pawls. 5, etc., to be moved forwardly, as indicated by the arrow 82. The forward motion of the pawls 5, etc., causes them to engage with the lower portion of the trays, thereby pushing the trays forwardly, and in ace-planar path.

Double-indexing mechanism Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 12, the lever shaft 62, it will be remembered, extends across the whole machine. FIG. 2 shows a side elevation of the full-tray advance mechanism (as shown in plan in the right-hand bay of FIG. 1). FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the empty-tray mechanism, whereby the empty trays are pushed rearwardly, and in the aforesaid co-planar path toward the exit point. The mechanism shown in FIG. 3 is, in general, similar to the mechanism shown in FIG. 2, except that the motion of the trays in FIG. 3 is the reverse of that shown in FIG. 2; and, also, FIG.3 provides a mechanism for imparting a double-indexing motion to the empty tray which had been cross-indexed.

In the left-hand bay of FIG. 1, secured to the lever shaft 62 are the hubs 141 and 142 of levers 143 and 144, respectively. The ends of levers 143 and 144, respectively, are piovtally connected by studs 145 and 146 to the tray-pusher rods 147 and 148, respectively. The rods 147 and 148, respectively, are pivotally connected by studs 151 and 152 to tray-pusher brackets 153 and 154, respectively. The brackets 153 and 154 are secured to the tray-pusher cross-bar 79,, which is connected with the box-shift yoke brackets 155 and 156. The brackets 155 and 156, respectively, are secured to the tray-pusher bars 157 and 158, 157 not shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Pivotally supported on bar 153 are a plurality of tray-pusher pawls, 36 through 41, and 45. Similarly, the corresponding tray-pusher bar (157, not shown) carries a corresponding set of pawls.

It should be remembered that the pneumatic cylinder 21 was powered in the advance direction. At that time, the lever-shaft 62, it will be remembered, was rotated in a clockwise direction. The levers 143 and 144 secured to shaft 62, likewise, move in a clockwise direction. The clockwise motion of levers 143 and 144 causes the traypusher rods 147 and 148, the tray-pusher cross-bar 79,, the brackets and 156, the tray-pusher bars, e.g. 158 (FIG. 3), and the tray-pusher pawls 36, etc., to be moved forwardly, as indicated by the arrow 113. However, the forward motion of the pawls 36, etc., does not effect any motion of the trays at this time, but merely positions the pawls to permit their subsequent engagement with empty trays, to effect their rearward movement when the tray-pusher bar moves in the rearward direction.

Also pivotally connected to the end of levers 143 by stud 145 is the double-index push rod 161 (FIGS. 1 and 4). The rod 161 is adjustably and pivotally connetced by adjusting stud 162 to the double-index yoke 163. The yoke 163 is at the end of lever 164 integral with hub 165. Also integral with hub 165 is lever 166. The hub 165 is pivotally supported by double-index pin 167, which, in turn, is supported by double-index bracket 170, secured to cross bar 98. The lower end of connecting rod 171 is pivotally connected by stud 172 to lever 166; while the upper end of rod 171 is piovtally connected by stud 173 to an arm 174 of the double-index lever 175. The hub 176 is secured to right-hand end of the doubleindex shaft 177, while the hub 178 of a similar doubleindex lever is secured to the left-hand end of shaft 177. The upper end of the double-index lever is piovtally connected to connecting rod 181 by stud 182. The lefthand end of rod 181 is pivotally connected to the guide shaft lever 183 by stud 184. The guide shaft lever 183 is fixedly pinned to the double-index shaft 185 by pins 186. The right-hand shaft 185 is slidably supported by hearing members 187 and 188. Similarly, the left-hand doubleindex shaft 191 is slidably supported by hearing members 192 and 193 (FIG. 1). At the forward ends of the double-index shafts 185 and 191, and carried thereby, is the double-index pusher bracket assembly 194. In FIG. 4, assembly 194 is shown in its normal position, whereas in FIG. 3, the dotted lines indicate the position of the bracket assembly when it is moved forwardly.

Still having in mind the fact that cylinder 21 was powered in the advance direction, the lever shaft 62 rotated in a clockwise direction. The lever 143 (FIG. 4), secured to shaft 62, likewise moves in a clockwise direction, as previously described. However, the clockwise motion of lever 143 also causes rod 161 to move to the left, thereby causing the clockwise rotation of levers 164 and 166. The clock-wise rotation of lever 166 causes rod 171 to move leftwardly, thereby causing lever 175 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, causing shaft 177 to rotate with it. The counter-clockwise rotation of lever 175 pushes rod 181, shaft lever 183 and shaft 185 toward the front of the machine. At the same time in a similar manner, the corresponding double-index lever on the left-hand side of the shaft 177 causes the doubleindex shaft 191 also, to move toward the front of the machine. The forward movement of the double-index shafts 185 and 191 moves the double-index pusher bracket assembly 194 carried thereby to the forward position, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 3. However, the forward motion of the double-index pusher bracket assembly 194 must be completed before an empty tray is crossed indexed. An opening 195 is provided to allow the empty tray to be positioned in front of the double-index pusher bracket assembly 194 for eventual indexing two spaces to the rear.

It will be remembered that, in the cigarette tray-feeding machine of the instant invention, a complete tray-advance cycle comprises a series of discrete steps. Each of such steps must be performed in a predetermined order, and each such steps must evidence satisfactory completion thereof before the next succeeding step may be initiated. To ensure that each step is, in its turn, completed a plurality of electrical switches, known as limit switches, are employed. Each step in the operation of the machine, as it is satisfactorily completed, will operate that particular limit switch which is operatively associated therewith. Each of these switches is uniquely identified on the drawings by a designation consisting of a numeral prefixed by the letters LS.

Slat pulling motion Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 13, let it now be assumed that the advance motion of the piston of cylinder 21 has culminated in advancing the full tray T in the afore-said co planar path to the delivery station over the hopper H. This condition is also illustrated in FIG. 9. When tray T, has been properly positioned over the hopper H it will contact arm 46, FIG. 6, which is pivoted on pin 47. Secured to and depending from pin 47 is another arm 48, which, when arm 46 is moved by contact with moving tray T causes arm 48 to move in a clockwise direction and to actuate the limit switch LS8, thereby closing its normally open contacts. The closure of the cont-acts of LS8 applies power through the C contacts of relay R1 (FIG. 15) and the retract coil CV2a of electro-pneumatic valve CV2, causing it to operate, and thereby admit compressed air to the retract side of pneumatic cylinder 42,, which is fixedly supported by bracket 85 (FIG. 2). The retraction of the piston of cylinder 42 will cause its piston rod 86 to move leftwardly. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 the piston rod 86, at its right hand end, is secured to the bottom shifter 87 which, at its left-hand end, is affixed to the slat puller bracket 25 (FIG. 4). The bracket 25 is slidably supported by slatapuller guide bar 26. The slat puller 23 is .pivotally supported on slat puller bracket 25 by the slat pullerpin 24. The slat puller carries, at its top, a slat-puller-holddown consisting of a vertical member 92 having a short pin 93 projecting horizontally forward therefrom. The function of the slat puller mechanism, as previously explained, is to engage its holddown with the notch in the left-hand end of the slat, and to pull out the slat from the bottom of the full tray, e.=g., T after it has been positioned over the hopper H, so that the tray may empty its contents into the hopper (see FIG. 9), without deviating from its co-planar level.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 13, let it now be assumed that the retract motion of the piston of cylinder 42 has started to move the slat-puller mechanism to the left. As the tray is moved forward towards its position over the hopper, the slat will contact a wedge shaped mover 63, which positions the notch in the forward edge of the slat in line to contact the slat puller vertical pin 92. After limit switch LS8 has been actuated, the retract motion of the piston of cylinder 43 moves the slatpuller mechanism to the left thus withdrawing the slat from the tray. As the slat puller mechanism moves to the left slat puller bracket 25 contacts limit switch LS but no contact is made at this time due to the override feature of the switch. However, the pulse switch cam 88 secured to the bottom shifter 87 cont-acts limit switch LS9 and momentarily actuates it, thereby momentarily closing its normally open contacts. The closure of the contacts of LS9 applied power through the C4 contacts of relay R1 (FIG. and the advance co-il CV31: of the electro-zpneumatic valve CV3, causing it to operate to admit compressed air to the advance side of the pneumatic cylinder 43.

Slat transfer-forward motion Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the cylinder 43 is fixedly supported by brackets and 96, respectively, secured to fixed cross 'bars 97 and 98. The piston rod 101 of cylinder 43 is secured to the movable slat-pusher cross bar 102. The bar 102 is secured to and is movably supported by the pusher :ro-ds 103 and 104 which are s'lidably supported in having blocks secured to the cross bars 98 and 97. Projecting forwardly from the slatpusher cross -bar 102, and secured to the ends thereof by slat-pusher brackets 105 and 106, are the slat-pusher bars 107 and 108, respectively. The slat pusher bars 107 and 108 carry at their respective forward ends the yielda bly supported pusher fingers 28 and 27. The fingers 28 and 27 are respectively ipivo-ted on pins 118 and 117, and are upwardly tensioned by springs 119 and 120, respectively.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, and remembering that the satisfactory completion of the slat pulling motion has culminated in the energiz-ation of the advance side of pneumatic cylinder 43, the piston rod 101 moves forwardly (in the direction of the arrow 113), thereby also moving the cross bar 102, the slat pusher bars 107 and 108, and the pusher fingers 28 and 27 forwardly. The forward movement of the slat pusher bars moves fingers 27 and 28 from the influence of the finger holddown bars 54 and 55. The tension springs 119 and 120 force the fingers up and place them in position to engage the slat which was just withdrawn from a full tray. As the slat is pushed forward it contacts the sl-at shifter spring 49, which properly locates slat so that it may be threaded into empty tray, before empty tray reaches cammed portion of e'levator bracket 135.

Reset 0- slat transfer mechanism Referring to FIGS. 1 and 13, as the slat transfer mechanism satisfactorily completes its [forward motion, the micro-switch actuator carried by rod 104, having :passed limit switch LS12 without action, due to its override provision, actuates the limit switch LSll, thereby closing its normally open contacts. The closure of the contents of LS11 applies power through the C3 contacts of relay R1 (FIG. 15) and the retract coil CV3a of electro-pneumatic valve CV3, causing it to operate to admit compressed air to the retract side of pneumatic cylinder 43. As the piston of cylinder 43 is retracted (in the direction of arrow 114), it carries with it the mechanical element controlled thereby, including the slat pusher fingers 27 and 28. The slat pusher fingers 27 and 28 are reset under the finger holddown bars 54 and 55, and thus resume their normal positions; but the slat, e.-g., S remains in its forward position, in readiness to he threaded into the bottom of a previously-emptied tray, as previously described with reference to FIG. 11.

Reset of slat puller mechanism Referring now to FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 15, as the slat transfer mechanism satisfactorily completes its reset motion, the microswitch actuator 115 carried by rod 104 actuates the limit switch LS12, thereby closing its normally open contacts. The closure of the contacts of LS12 establishes two control circuits. The first circuit applies power through the C2 contacts of relay R1 (FIG. 15), the LS12 contacts, the C8 contacts of relay R1, and the advance coil CV21) of electro-pneumatic valve CV2, causing it to operate, and thereby admit compressed air to the advance side of pneumatic cylinder 42. The advance of the piston of cylinder 42 will cause its connecting rod 86, the bottom shifter 87, and the slat-puller mechanism to move rightwardly, thus restoring the slat-puller mechanism to its normal position.

. Cross-index empty tray Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, and 15, the second circuit established by the closure of the contacts of L812 applies power through the C2 contacts of relay R1 (FIG. the L812 contacts, and the retract coil CV4b of electro-pneumatic valve CV4, causing it to operate, and thereby admit compressed air to the retract side of pneumatic cylinder 44. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, let it be assumed that the tray T (FIG. 1) has been immediately preceded by a tray T, (not shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIG. 11) which, after having emptied its contents into the hopper H, had been advanced one position forwardly (as diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 13). The empty tray T was thereby placed in longitudinal alignment with the slat 8 which has been pulled out of tray T and has been advanced one position forwardly, as above described. Cylinder 44 is fixedly supported at its ends by brackets 123 and 124. Actuable by the piston of cylinder 44 is the piston rod 125 which has secured to it at its right-hand end, the yoke 126. The yoke 126 carries pin 127 upon which the gear 128 is 'rotatably supported. The gear 128 meshes with the front (or stationary) rack 29, and the rear (or moving) rack 30. The front rack 29 is fixedly supported by the front panel housing; while the rear rack 30 is secured to the plate 130 of the tray cross-indexing mechanism. The tray pusher assembly 131 is secured to plate 130.

Referring now to FIG. 1, as the piston of cylinder 4 is retracted, the piston rod 125 moves leftward, and it carries with it the yoke 126 and the gear 128 rotatably supported therein. Since the gear 128 is in engagement with the stationary rack 29, the gear 128, in moving to the left, rotates in a counter-clockwise direction which, obviously, causes the moving rack 30, the tray crossindexing mechanism secured thereto, and the empty tray (e.g., T FIG. 11) to, also, move leftwardly, without deviating from the aforesaid co-planar path; that is to say, the tray is now being cross-indexed.

Thread slat into empty tray Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, and 13 (but particularly to FIG. 7), the slat 8 which is in longitudinal alignment with the approaching empty tray T is held in a raised position by the elevator cross piece 133. The elevator cross piece is integral with elevator front piece 134 which is pivotally supported by elevator pin 136, and is urged upwardly by flat spring 137. As the empty tray T continues its cross-indexing or leftward motion, the advancing empty tray T cams the elevator front piece 134 down, against the tension of flat spring 137. The downward movement of elevator front piece 134 lowers the elevator cross-piece 133 sufficiently that the right-hand end of slat S is positioned in the same horizontal plane as the slot in the bottom of empty tray T As the tray T completes its cross-indexing motion, the slat 8 is threaded into the bottom thereof, thereby conditioning the tray T for re-use.

Reset of cross-indexing mechanism Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 15, as the cross-indexing mechanism satisfactorily completes its leftward motion it actuates the limit switch L813, thereby closing its normally open contacts. The closure of the contacts of L813 closes a first circuit and prepares a second circuit. The first circuit applies power through the C1, contacts of relay R1 (FIG. 15), and the advance coil CV41: of electro-pneumatic valve CV4, causing it to operate, and thereby admit compressed air to the advance side of pneumatic cylinder 44. The advance of the piston of cylinder 44 will cause its connecting rod 125, the yoke 126, and the gear 128 pivoted therein, to move rightwardly. The gear 128, in moving to the right, rotates in a clockwise direction which, obviously, causes the moving rack 30, and the tray cross-indexing mechanism secured thereto to, also, move to the right, thereby causing the tray cross-indexing mechanism to be reset.

Reset 0 tray advance mechanism Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 15, as the tray cross indexing mechanism satisfactorily completes its reset motion, a cam surface on movable rack 30 actuates the limit switch L814, thereby closing its normally open contacts. Limit switch L813 remained operated after the leftward motion of the cross-indexing mechanism had been completed and the cross-indexing mechanism was reset. At the same time that the slat-puller mechanism was reset it actuated the limit switch L810, thereby closing its normally closed contacts which remained closed but did not complete any circuit at that time. Therefore, when L814 is operated it applies power through the series-connected contact C1 of relay R1 (FIG. 15), the contacts of L813, the C7 contacts of relay R1, the contacts of L814, and L810, and the retract coil CVla of electro-pneumatic valve CV1, causing it to operate, and thereby admit compressed air to the retract side of the previously-described pneumatic cylinder 21, to move its piston backward.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the retract motion (rightward as viewed in FIG. 2) of piston rod 58 causes the lever 60, the lever shaft 62, and the levers 67 and 68 secured thereto to be displaced angularly in a counterclockwise direction. The counter-clockwise motion of lovers 67 and 68 causes the tray-pusher rods 71 and 72, the tray-pusher cross-bar 79, the brackets and 81, the tray-pusher bars, e.g., 19, and the tray-pusher pawls 5, etc., to be moved rearwardly, as indicated by the arrow 140. However, the rearward motion of the pawls 5, etc., does not effect any motion of the trays, but merely re sets the pawls to their respective normal positions.

Double-indexing mechanism-Advwnce Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 12 and 13, let it be remembered that the powering of pneumatic cylinder 21 resulted in the counter-lockwise rotation of lever shaft 62 (FIG. 2). The counter-clockwise rotation of'shaft 62 and of levers 143 and 144 secured thereto, by means of the previously-descr-ibed linkage, cause the tray-pusher bars 157 and 158 (FIG. 3, 157 not shown) to move rearwardly, carrying the pivotally-mounted tray pawls 36, etc., with them. Each pair of oppositely disposed pawls will engage with an empty tray, and will move it one space rearwardly, without deviating from the aforesaid co-planar path. At the same time, the counterclockwise rotation of shaft 62 rotates lever 143 afiixed thereto, also, to rotate counter-clockwise. The counter-clockwise rotation of lever 143 actuates the previously described linkage, thereby causing double-index lever to rotate in a clock-wise direction, and causing shaft 177 and the corresponding double-indexing lever at the left-hand end of shaft 177 to rotate with it. The clockwise rotation of the two double-indexing levers, by rneans of the previously-described linkages, cause the double-index shafts and 191, together with the double-index bracket assembly 194 carried thereby, to be moved two spaces rearwlard'ly. The 'double-indeX-bracket assembly, prior to this, had engaged with the any which had been crossindexed. Thus the empty tray, after cross-indexing, is moved two spaced toward the rear of the machine, without deviating from the aforesaid co-planar path. This completes one tray advance cycle.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the lever 196 (FIGS. 2 and 5), also, is fixedly secured to lever-shaft 62. The lever 196, at its lower end, terminates in the hand grip 197 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The hand lever provides a means whereby. the operator, when the power supply is disconnected from the machine, may, by moving the hand grip 197 leftwardly, cause the lever shaft 62 to rotate in a clockwise direction. The clockwise rotation of shaft 62 13' causes the full tray advancing mechanism, and the empty tray advancing mechanism, to .be moved forwardly, in the manner previously described.

Conversely, when the hand grip 197 is moved rightwardly, the lever shaft 62 is caused to rotate in a counter clockwise direction. The counter clockwise rotation of shaft 62 will then cause the full tray advancing mechanism, the empty tray single index advancing mechanism and the empty tray double index advancing system, to be moved rearwardly, in the manner previously described Thus it will be seen, that the to and fro movement of the lever 196 is simulative of the advance and retract motions, respectively, of cylinder 21.

Single-step control by push buttons Referring now to FIG. 15, the power switch PS, shown in its normal or off position, will be closed by the operator when it is desired to start the machine. The switch AIR will be closed by the operator to energize the air supply SAV. If it is desired that the machine be operated on it regular or automatic basis the two-position switch S6 will be set at its auto position, thereby operating relay R1, and preparing the machine for automatic operation. At this time the light source 50 will be energized to furnish illumination for exciting photoelectric cell 52. From this point forward the machine will operate, performing its several sequential steps in the manner nereinbefore described. At this time it is assumed that the three-position push button switches S1, S2, S3, and S4, are in their normal or neutral positions.

Now let it be assumed that, for some reason, possibly for maintenance or adjustment purposes, the operator desires to selectively energize some single operational step, to the exclusion of other steps. Under this condition the operator would operate switch S6 to its MAN position, thereby preventing the machine from being operated on an automatic basis. Under this position, if switch S1 were set to its upward or INDEX FWD position, power would be connected through the advance coil CVlb of pneumatic valve CV1, causing cylinder 21 to be enngized in the advance direction. Similarly, if switch S1 were set to its lower or INDEX BACK position, power would be connected to retract CVla coil of pneumatic valve CV1, causing the cylinder 21 to be energized in its retract direction. In like manner switch S2 controls, in its upward position, the retract motion of cylinder 42, and in its lower position controls the advance motion of cylinder 42. Similarly, in like manner, the upper and lower positions of switch S3, respectively, control the retract and advance motions of cylinder 43. And again, in like manner, switch S4 in its upper and lower positions, respectively, controls the advance and retract motions of cylinder 44. Thus it will be seen that, by means of the above described circuitry, the operator is afford-ed at will, complete selective control of the advance or retract motions of each of the pneumatic cylinders 21, 42, 43, and 44.

Reference is hereby made to US. Patent 2,799,413 granted to S. Innocenti on July 16, 1957, and which, to the best of applicants knowledge, is the closest prior art.

We claim:

1. In an automatic tray-feeding device for cigarettepackaging machines provided with a vertical feed hopper and to which the cigarettes are fed from trays having slidably removable bottom slats; a substantially U-shaped conveyor situated in a substantially horizontal plane above said hopper for movably supporting said trays in a common horizontal plane; said conveyor having an entrance point for full trays, a delivery station over said hopper, and an exit point for empty trays, all co-planar with respect to each other; means comprising a first set of tray pawls carried by a first pair of pusher bars oscillatable in a forward and backward motion for advancing said full trays one step at a time to said delivery station, means for oscillating said bars, and for advancing a preceding and previously emptied tray one step forward of said delivery station, means for resetting said first part of pusher bars to their normal position, wherein all of said trays traverse a co-planar path; means comprising a slat-puller oscillatable in a left and right motion for pulling out the bottom slat from a full tray positioned over said delivery station to cause said full tray to discharge its contents into said hopper and means for resetting said slot puller to its normal position without causing said full tray to deviate from said co-planar path; means comprising slatpusher fingers for transferring said pulled-out slat forwardly one position in advance of its pulled-out position, and means for resetting said slat-pusher fingers rearwardly to their normal positions; means comprising empty-tray cross-indexing pusher means for leftwardly moving the said preceding and previously emptied tray from its position one step forward of said hopper and for subsequently rightwardly moving said pusher means to reset it to its normal position without causing said cross-indexed tray to deviate from said co-planar path; means comprising tray-actuated slat elevator means for litfing the right-hand end of the said forwardly transferred slat to cause it to be threaded into the bottom of said cross-indexed tray during its said lateral movement; means comprising an emptytray double-indexing assembly carried by a pair of doubleindexing shafts oscillatable in a forward and backward direction for pushing a preceding and previously emptied tray two steps rearwardly toward said exit point, means for oscillating said shafts, and wherein said tray continues to traverse said co-planar path, and means for resetting said double-indexing shafts to their normal positions; and means comprising a second set of tray pawls carried by a second pair of pusher bars oscillatable in a forward and backward motion for pushing empty trays rearwardly one step at a time toward said exit position and wherein said empty trays do not deviate from said co-planar path.

2. An automatic tray-feeding device according to claim 1, in which the means for oscillating said first pair of pusher bars comprises a first pneumatic cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein; and in which the means for oscillating said slat-puller comprises a second pneumatic cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein; and in which the means for transferring said pulled on slat forwardly and for retracting said slat-pusher comprises a third pneumatic cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein; and in which the means for leftwardly moving and for subsequently resetting said empty-tray cross-indexing pusher comprises a fourth pneumatic cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein; and in which the means for oscillating said empty-trays double-indexing shafts comprising the aforesaid first pneumatic cylinder; and in which the means for oscillating said second pair of tray pushers also comprises the aforesaid first pneumatic cylinder.

3. An automatic tray feeding device according to claim 2, in which the means for oscillating said first pair of pusher bars comprises a lever shaft carrying a first pair of bell cranks linked by connecting rods to said first pair of pusher bars; and in which the means for oscillating said empty-tray double-indexing shafts comprises the aforesaid lever shaft and a third bell crank carried thereby and linked by connecting rods and by motion multiplying levers to said double-indexing shafts; and in which the means for oscillating said second pair of pusher bars comprises the aforesaid lever shaft and a second pair of bell cranks carried thereby and linked by connecting rods to said second pair of pusher rods; and in which said lever shaft is rotated in a first direction by a first motion of said reciprocable piston of said first pneumatic cylinder to cause said first and said second pairs of pusher bars and said empty-tray double-indexing assembly to be moved forwardly; and in which said lever shaft is rotated in a second direction by a second and reverse motion of said reciprocable piston of said first pneumatic cylinder to cause said first and said second pairs of pusher bars and said empty-tray double-indexing assembly to be moved rearwardly.

4. In an automatic tray-feeding device according to claim 1, a photo-electric cigarette-level monitoring device.

situated within and near the top of said vertical feed hopper and energizable incident to a low level of cigarettes in said hopper; a first electro-pneumatic valve actuated incident to the energization of said monitor; a first pneumatic cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein and actuable by said first electro-pneumatic valve for energizing said first cylinder to cause its piston to move in a first direction to initiate an operating cycle of the machine; and means linking said piston of said first cylinder with said first and said second set of tray pusher bars and with said empty-tray double-indexing assembly for controlling the forward and backward movements thereof.

5. An automatic cigarette packaging machine having in combination, a cigarette feeding hopper equipped with a photo-electric cigarette-level monitor, a uniplanar conveyor structure situated above said feeding hopper, a plurality of removable-bottom-slat cigarette trays movably supported by said conveyor; said conveyor having an entrance point for full trays, a delivery station located above said hopper, and an exit point for empty trays, all in coplanar relationship; an electro-pneumatically driven trayfeeding, tray slat-removing, and tray slat-replacing mechanism whose operating cycle is initiated by said cigarettelevel monitor: for moving a full tray from said entrance point to said delivery station, for removing the slat from said tray at said delivery station, for replacing a bottom slat into a tray, for moving said tray with a replaced slat two positions, and then moving said tray one position at a time toward said exit point, and for at all times maintaining said trays in an upright position and in co-planar :relationship, and for performing a check operation to ensure that each successive step in the operating cycle has been completed before starting the next succeeding step.

6. An automatic cigarette packaging machine comprising in combination: a cigarette feeding hopper, a photo-electric cigarette-level monitor at the top of said hopper, a first electro-pneumatic valve actuated by said monitor, a first pneumatic cylinder; a U-shaped uniplanar cigarette tray conveyor having a full try entrance point, a cigarette delivery station situated above said hopper, a cross-indexing section, and an empty tray exit point, all in co-planar relationship; and plurality of removable-bottom slat cigarette trays movably supported by said conveyor, a tray-feeding mechanism advanced by said first pneumatic cylinder under control of said first valve and actuated by said monitor incident to a low level of cigarettes in said hopper to move all full trays one position forward and to position a full tray in said delivery station above said hopper, a second electro-pneumatic valve actuated incident to the positioning of a full tray in said delivery position, a second pneumatic cylinder, at slat-pulling mechanism retracted by said second pneumatic cylinder under control of said second valve for removing the slat from the bottom of the full tray in said delivery station to permit said full tray to empty its contents into said hopper, a third electro-pneumatic valve actuated incident to the retraction of a slat, a third pneumatic cylinder, a slat-transfer mechanism advanced by said third cylinder under control of said third valve for transferring said retracted slat one position forward, a four h de re-pneumatic valve actuated incident to the transferring of said retracted slat, a slat-transfer-reset mechanism retracted by said third pneumatic cylinder under control of said fourth valve for resetting said slat-transfer mechanism, a fifth electro-pneumatic valve actuated incident to the resetting of said slat-transfer mechanism, a slat-pull-reset mechanism advanced by said second pneumatic cylinder under control of said fifth valve for resetting said slatpulling mechanism, a fourth pneumatic cylinder, a tray cross-indexing mechanism retracted by said fourth pneumatic cylinder also under control of said fifth valve for laterally moving an empty tray from its forward position and longitudinally threading it with a forwardly advanced slat, a sixth electro-pneumatic valve actuated incident to completion of cross-indexing, a cross-index-reset mecha nism advanced by said fourth pneumatic cylinder under control of said sixth valve for resetting said cross-indexing mechanism, a seventh electro-pneumatic valve actuated incident to the resetting of said slat-pulling mechanism, an eighth electro-pneumatic valve actuated incident to the resetting of said cross-indexing mechanism, an empty-tray rearwardly pushing mechanism retracted by said first pneumatic cylinder under the concurrent control of said sixth, seventh and eighth valves when all preceding functions have been completed for pushing previously-emptied trays one step rearwardly and for pushing the last cross-indexed empty tray two positions rearwardly, thereby readying the machine for another tray feeding cycle, and at the same time maintaining all of said trays in an upright position and in co-planar relationship.

7. An automatic cigarette packaging machine having in combination a cigarette feeding hopper, a photo-electrically controlled cigarette-level-indicating monitor at the top of said hopper; a uniplanar cigarette-tray-feeding conveyor situated above said hopper and having in co-planar relationship an entrance point, a delivery station, and an exit point, a plurality of removable-bottom-slat cigarette trays movably supported in co-planar relationship by said conveyor; tray manipulating mechanism comprising automatic means for sequentially performing the steps of an operating cycle comprising moving full trays from said entrance point, halting a full tray and removing the bottom slat thereof at said delivery station to empty said tray, replacing the bottom slat of an emptied tray, and for moving the bottom-replaced emptied trays toward said exit point while maintaining all of said trays in an upright position and in co-planar relationship; and automatic operation sequence-control means whereby the first step of said operating cycle is initiated under control of said cigarette-level-indicating monitor only when the cigarette level drops below a predetermined point, and whereby each of the succeeding steps may be performed only when the immediately preceding step has been satisfactorily completed, and whereby a new operating cycle may be initiated only when .all of the steps of the immediately preceding operating cycle have been satisfactorily completed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,574,628 11/ 1951 Dearshey 214-302 2,681,160 6/1954 Molins et al. 2l4302 2,737,997 3/ 1956 Himmelheber et al.

I-lUGQ Q. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner, 

1. IN AN AUTOMATIC TRAY-FEEDING DEVICE FOR CIGARETTEPACKAGING MACHINES PROVIDED WITH A VERTICAL FEED HOPPER AND TO WHICH THE CIGARETTES ARE FED FROM TRAYS HAVING SLIDABLY REMOVABLE BOTTOM SLATS; A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED CONVEYOR SITUATED IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE ABOVE SAID HOPPER FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID TRAYS IN A COMMON HORIZONTAL PLANE; SAID CONVEYOR HAVING AN ENTRANCE POINT FOR FULL TRAYS, A DELIVERY STATION OVER SAID HOPPER, AND AN EXIT POINT FOR EMPTY TRAYS, ALL CO-PLANAR WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER; MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST SET OF TRAY PAWLS CARRIED BY A FIRST PAIR OF PUSHER BARS OSCILLATABLE IN A FORWARD AND BACKWARD MOTION FOR ADVANCING SAID FULL TRAYS ONE STEP AT A TIME TO SAID DELIVERY STATION, MEANS FOR OSCILLATING SAID BARS, AND FOR ADVANCING A PRECEDING AND PREVIOUSLY EMPTIED TRAY ONE STEP FORWARD OF SAID DELIVERY STATION, MEANS FOR RESETTING SAID FIRST PART OF PUSHER BARS TO THEIR NORMAL POSITION, WHEREIN ALL OF SAID TRAYS TRAVERSE A CO-PLANAR PATH; MEANS COMPRISING A SLAT-PULLER OSCILLATABLE IN A LEFT AND RIGHT MOTION FOR PULLING OUT THE BOTTOM SLAT FROM A FULL TRAY POSITIONED OVER SAID DELIVERY STATION TO CAUSE SAID FULL TRAY TO DISCHARGE ITS CONTENTS INTO SAID HOPPER AND MEANS FOR RESETTING SAID SLOT PULLER TO ITS NORMAL POSITION WITHOUT CAUSING SAID FULL TRAY TO DEVIATE FROM SAID CO-PLANAR PATH; MEANS COMPRISING SLATPUSHER FINGERS FOR TRANSFERRING SAID PULLED-OUT SLAT FORWARDLY ONE POSITION IN ADVANCE OF ITS PULLED-OUT POSITION, AND MEANS FOR RESETTING SAID SLAT-PUSHER FINGERS REARWARDLY TO THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS; MEANS COMPRISING EMPTY-TRAY CROSS-INDEXING PUSHER MEANS FOR LEFTWARDLY MOVING THE SAID PRECEDING AND PREVIOUSLY EMPTIED TRAY FROM ITS POSITION ONE STEP FORWARD OF SAID HOPPER AND FOR SUBSEQUENTLY RIGHTWARDLY MOVING SAID PUSHER MEANS TO RESET IT TO ITS NORMAL POSITION WITHOUT CAUSING SAID CROSS-INDEXED TRAY TO DEVIATE FROM SAID CO-PLANAR PATH; MEANS COMPRISING TRAY-ACTUATED SLAT ELEVATOR MEANS FOR LIFTING THE RIGHT-HAND END OF THE SAID FORWARDLY TRANSFERRED SLAT TO CAUSE IT TO BE THREADED INTO THE BOTTOM OF SAID CROSS-INDEXED TRAY DURING ITS SAID LATERAL MOVEMENT; MEANS COMPRISING AN EMPTYTRAY DOUBLE-INDEXING ASSEMBLY CARRIED BY A PAIR OF DOUBLEINDEXING SHAFTS OSCILLATABLE IN A FORWARD AND BACKWARD DIRECTION FOR PUSHING A PRECEDING AND PREVIOUSLY EMPTIED TRAY TWO STEPS REARWARDLY TOWARD SAID EXIT POINT, MEANS FOR OSICLLATING SAID SHAFTS, AND WHEREIN SAID TRAY CONTINUES TO TRAVERSE SAID CO-PLANAR PATH, AND MEANS FOR RESETTING SAID DOUBLE-INDEXING SHAFTS TO THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS; AND MEANS COMPRISING A SECOND SET OF TRAY PAWLS CARRIED BY A SECOND PAIR OF PUSHER BARS OSCILLATABLE IN A FORWARD AND BACKWARD MOTION FOR PUSHING EMPTY TRAYS REARWARDLY ONE STEP AT A TIME TOWARD SAID EXIT POSITION AND WHERIN SAID EMPTY TRAYS DO NOT DEVIATE FROM SAID CO-PLANAR PATH. 